Another eventful week in Italian football saw another two managers relieved of their duties. Sunday night saw Roma sack Zdenek Zeman after losing 4-2 to Cagliari. The Czech had overseen Roma score more goals than any other side this season but in turn concede the second most in the division. He leaves Roma in eighth place and without a win this year. Roma coach Aurelio Andreazzoli has taken temporary charge of team and remains unclear who is likely to succeed Zeman.
Monday then saw Palermo sack Gian Piero Gasperini who had only taken charge in September. Gasperini leaves Palermo bottom of Serie A with just 3 wins all season. Former Palermo manager Alberto Malesani is being lined up as Gasperini's replacement but no deal has been finalised as yet.
On the pitch and yet again a few surprise results. Roma were beaten 4-2 by Cagliari on Friday night. Saturday saw some normality as Napoli beat Catania 2-0 and Torino and Sampdoria played out a 0-0 draw. Sunday looked to be following a similar pattern as Juve overcame Chievo 2-1 and Atalanta beat Palermo by the same score line. Fiorentina ended their poor run with a 2-0 victory over Parma and Bologna got a much needed win as they beat Pescara 3-2. Then the two shocks occurred with Inter losing 3-1 to Siena to mount pressure on Stramaccioni and Lazio were beaten 3-2 by Genoa. Sunday's evening game saw Mario Balotelli score twice on his debut as Milan beat Udinese 2-1.
This Weekends Fixtures & Predictions
Saturday 9th February
Juventus V Fiorentina - 17:00 - Home Win
One of the games of the weekend sees league leaders Juventus host sixth placed Fiorentina. Juventus have looked every bit champions this season, not playing brilliantly but grinding out victories. In comparison Fiorentina have played some wonderful football but have suffered dips in form. The Viola returned to form with a win last time out but this represents a much sterner task and Juve will prove to much for them.
Lazio V Napoli - 19:45 - Away Win
Third meets second in this one and it couldn't of come at a worse time for Lazio. Beaten again last time out they haven't won any of their last three and must win this one to keep their title challenge alive. Napoli have looked like the only side who can seriously challenge Juventus this season and they continue to pick up points. The free flowing football of Napoli is not what you want to face when your on a bad run and that's exactly what Lazio are up against, so its Napoli who should take this one.
Sunday 10th February
Parma V Genoa - 11:30 - Draw
Parma have won just one of their last 5 but remain in tenth position in mid table safety. Genoa are just one place above the relegation zone but continue to get good results, drawing against Juventus and then beating Lazio in their last two games. Both these sides are capable of beating each other but both are inconsistent and with that as an overarching factor a draw seems the most likely result.
Atalanta V Catania - 14:00 - Away Win
Catania are enjoying a good season currently sitting it seventh they should gain another 3 points in this one. Atalanta are having a poor campaign by their standards and their victory last weekend was their first in their last 5 games. Catania should take this one.
Bologna V Siena - 14:00 - Draw
Both these sides remain in the relegation battle although it is Bologna who are currently better off. They currently sit 5 points above the relegation zone and are unbeaten in 2. Siena remain second from bottom but gained a great win over Inter last time. This is sure to be a cagey affair given what is at stake and a draw seems most likely.
Cagliari V AC Milan - 14:00 - Away Win
Cagliari's great victory over Roma last weekend will have aided their confidence but the side fifth from bottom face a stern task against a rejuvenated Milan who have won 3 in a row and are now led by Mario Balotelli up front. Milan will prove to much for Cagliari.
Palermo V Pescara - 14:00 - Draw
Bottom club Palermo are in desperate need of points and will look at this as a golden opportunity against the side three points and two places above them. Pescara have slipped down the table in recent weeks and they two will be looking to stop the rot. Both teams are hard to back with any confidence in their current form and with both desperate not to lose this one a draw looks most likely result.
Sampdoria V Roma - 14:00 - Away Win
Sampdoria have clambered away from the relegation zone after winning two of their last 5. Roma are yet to win this year and continue to score freely and concede easily. This is more than likely going to be a goal fest and the suggestion is that Roma should have enough class to overcome Sampdoria.
Udinese V Torino - 14:00 - Home Win
Despite being beaten by AC Milan last weekend Udinese were beginning to show signs of the team they were last season and are taken to regain the winning thread in this one against Torino. Torino have faired best of the newly promoted sides this season sitting in eleventh but Udinese should be too much for them in this one.
Inter V Chievo - 19:45 - Draw
Inter are really struggling at the moment having dropped to fifth in the table and they face a Chievo side who look like they are coming back to the side we saw last season. This is set up to be a tight game with Inter desperate not to lose another game. Chievo will represent a solid test and in their current vein, Inter cannot overcome.
Selected Match Betting:
Udinese, Roma, Milan, Catania, Napoli & Juventus - All To Win - 81/1
Cagliari V Milan - Balotelli To Score a brace - 4/1
Sampdoria V Roma - Roma to win 4-3 - 80/1
Enjoy The Games!
No comments:
Post a Comment